Poorly 996 C4S -Help!
Discussion
Hi gents,
Looking for some advice for a mate who has a 2002 C4S...
The information he has passed on is as follows:
"it keeps complaining of low coolant - no signs of external leaking, but spark plug 2 is covered in rust and high levels of condensation coming out of one exhaust."
Instantly I'm thinking head gasket but wondered if there are any common issues to be aware of here?
He is being advised it needs a full rebuild, so any advice on whether this is needed, other issues to be aware of and any typical costs would be massively appreciated!
Thanks
Chris
Looking for some advice for a mate who has a 2002 C4S...
The information he has passed on is as follows:
"it keeps complaining of low coolant - no signs of external leaking, but spark plug 2 is covered in rust and high levels of condensation coming out of one exhaust."
Instantly I'm thinking head gasket but wondered if there are any common issues to be aware of here?
He is being advised it needs a full rebuild, so any advice on whether this is needed, other issues to be aware of and any typical costs would be massively appreciated!
Thanks
Chris
Hi. May be a cracked cylinder. They migrate oval over time due to piston thrust loading pushing on the open deck cylinder cylinder and can eventually crack. What's the mileage ? It may be visible to an experienced eye using a bore scope. Is the condensation coming out of the drivers side exhaust ? Typical cost just north of 4k + vat if no other preventative work, problems encountered etc but should be looking at strengthening other cylinders to stop them going the same way if that's the fault as a minimum.
Head gasket failure rare but possible and similar cost as the block would need skimming requiring full strip down.
Grant
Head gasket failure rare but possible and similar cost as the block would need skimming requiring full strip down.
Grant
Chr1sch said:
Absolutely I'll pass that on, has anyone else had similar issues to this?!
I am a bit of a novice on this, is there any way this could be indicative of RMS failure? (I seem to remember it was only turbo lumps that avoided that issue)
RMS failure is just a seal and the car will leak oil. I am a bit of a novice on this, is there any way this could be indicative of RMS failure? (I seem to remember it was only turbo lumps that avoided that issue)
Maybe you mean IMS failure?
Ok.
It does sound like a specific problem with Bank 1 and the rusty plug suggests an issue affecting just number 2 cylinder. There are a few theoretical possiblities but they all require the head off at the minimum which is a partial engine out job at the least. Next step is compression test & borescope. No harm doing a sniff test for combustion gas in the coolant but I'd hazard a guess at a cracked cylinder which is a re-build I'm afraid.
Grant
It does sound like a specific problem with Bank 1 and the rusty plug suggests an issue affecting just number 2 cylinder. There are a few theoretical possiblities but they all require the head off at the minimum which is a partial engine out job at the least. Next step is compression test & borescope. No harm doing a sniff test for combustion gas in the coolant but I'd hazard a guess at a cracked cylinder which is a re-build I'm afraid.
Grant
Wow these cars are sh*t! Having owned a couple of 911s I was considering one as a track car, I think Ill pass. I also considered a cayman, but they are just as bad 
Come on Porsche, wake up and smell the coffee, hopefully the 991 isnt this bad, which it shouldnt be given the a different engine.
Come on Porsche, wake up and smell the coffee, hopefully the 991 isnt this bad, which it shouldnt be given the a different engine.
Having been garaged all its life is not really a risk factor :-) Not likely a full Porsche service history would help either. Shows it's a bit of a lottery, but that certain cars and types of use might affect the risk level.
The old adage of 'buy on condition, but always get the bores scoped' springs to mind.
The old adage of 'buy on condition, but always get the bores scoped' springs to mind.
To put a bit of perspective on this, 996's are great value at the moment largely down to their propensity of generating big bills for engine rebuilds. If you factor in a wad of cash for a potential rebuild and the relative low cost of purchase, they still represent one hell of a lot of car for the money.That's my take on it,and I own one.Hartech can "future proof" these engines with changes to the cooling channels, IMS bearing and cylinder issues, so no great disaster if you are unlucky enough to have one go "pop". There are plenty that haven't gone, so it's still bad luck if yours breaks.
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